Optometry Students’ Mental Health at a University in South Africa: Investigating the Links Between Anxiety, Depression, and Key Variables

Introduction: Anxiety and depression in optometry students are becoming acknowledged as critical concerns, especially given the rigorous demands of their academic curricula. This study aimed to identify the severity of anxiety and depression and their association with socio-demographic, academic, and clinical variables among optometry students in South Africa. Methods: This study was a descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study involving 171 optometry undergraduate students at a university in South Africa. Data was gathered using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and a questionnaire encompassing socio-demographic, student, and clinical variables. Students who agreed to participate and provided written consent were recruited to participate in this study. The association between socio-demographic, student, and clinical variables with total GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores was determined using the Mann–Whitney U-test and Kruskal– Wallis test where applicable. Results: More than half of the participants were female (n=63; 63.2%), identified as belonging to the Pedi ethnic group (n=96; 56.1%), single (n=118; 69%), and lived with both parents (n=94; 55.0%). Over half (51.4%; n=88) of the participants reported high levels of anxiety, while two-thirds (n=141; 67.8%) exhibited high levels of depression. Variables such as academic level, receipt of financial bursary, and prior professional psychological support had a significant (p < 0.05) association with total GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between total GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Addressing the high levels of anxiety and depression among optometry students necessitates a comprehensive strategy that encompasses the augmentation of mental health resources, fostering resilience, and creating supportive environments. By implementing these strategies, educational institutions can enhance the mental health and well-being of optometry students, ultimately leading to improved academic outcomes and professional readiness.